John Barrowman is back with his brand new show, My Life In Musicals – a glittering evening celebrating the greatest West End and Broadway musicals.
With a career spanning over three decades on stage and screen, John has played an astonishing 22 leading male roles across the West End and Broadway, from Sunset Boulevard to Chicago, Anything Goes to La Cage Aux Folles, Phantom of the Opera to Miss Saigon.
Appearing at Lighthouse on Tuesday 22 September, he’ll take centre stage to bring his iconic performances back to life in one spectacular night of musical theatre magic.
Here, he gives us a taste of what we can expect in a special interview…
What’s your first memory of performing?
My first memory of performing, off the top of my head, would be singing Milly Molly Mandy in my mum and dad’s living room to guests at a party using a measuring cup thing as a microphone, and I was in my kilt. I used to come down and that was my party piece… ‘Milly, Molly, Mandy sweet as sugar candy, pretty little eyes of blue. Everybody would be if they could be walking out with you. Wishing on a Monday when I see you Sunday that you’ll find it’s true. Milly Molly Mandy sweet as sugar candy I’m in love with you.’
John Barrowman, have you ever stolen any props from any sets?
How very dare you! I have never stolen any props from set, but I may have borrowed them and never returned them. Because I will say that some things from Doctor Who fell into my bag and they just happened to be on my shelf in Palm Springs. Vortex manipulator, actually that was made, and Squareness gun, other things that shall remain nameless because I have somebody who knew someone in the props department standing right over there. I don’t wanna say what I took!
You’ve played 21 leading male parts in the West End and Broadway in 10 years. What is one leading part you would love to play?
I’ve already played it and I’d like to play it again. I’d like to do it on a tour of the UK, and I’d like to tour other places. I would like to play Zaza once again in La Cage Aux Folles because I love the story, I love what it stands for, It’s about family. It’s about families that are not deemed to be as the ‘norm’ because what is the norm, right? Your norm, your family is the norm in your world and I love that. I love what it tells and also I loved getting up in drag and playing that character so I’d love to do it again.
If you could ask your 80-year-old self one question what would it be?
Did you have fun? And I hope the answer would be yes.
What will audiences take away from the show?
I hope the audience takes away a lot more than what they came in with. I hope they take a little piece of John Barrowman home with them. They have great memories, they’ve laughed so hard that their stomachs hurt a little bit, and also that they feel joy when they walk out the door.
When you travel, what is the one item you always take with you?
My original Star Wars pillowcase that I have had since childhood, I won’t leave home without it.